BOOM! STUDIOS FOR MARCH

MARVEL COMICS DEBUTS PROSE NOVELS

Marvel Comics has announced it will launch a series of prose novels in June with an adaptation of Civil War, by Stuart Moore.

"Releasing our most acclaimed graphic novels as prose fiction not only allows us to reach a different audience with these stories, but also gives us a chance to bring those readers back to the comics that started it all," said David Gabriel, senior vice president of sales, Marvel Entertainment.

"Civil War is easily our best-selling graphic novel of the past decade and certainly one of the most influential in recent memory, so it was the perfect launch title for this new line. Not only will you get all the action that Mark Millar and Steve McNiven delivered in comic form but no fan will want to miss the new wrinkles we've added in this novel."

Here's how Marvel describes the story:

"In the wake of a tragedy, Capitol Hill proposes the Superhuman Registration Act, requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the government. Divided, the nation's greatest champions must each decide how to react -- but will you side with Iron Man or Captain America? And just which heroes will pay the ultimate price?"

BRIEFLY

* Oni Press has announced an April launch for a series of special edition prestige hadcovers celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ted Naeifeh's Courtney Crumrin.

Courtney Crumrin, Volume 1: The Night Things, Special Edition will start a full reprint program with new colored special edition hardcovers. Naifeh has returned to the series to remaster the material, working closely with colorist Warren Wucinich to create a spooky palette that accentuates the original black-and-white art.

"Readers love Courtney Crumrin for how vividly Ted renders the magical world he has dreamed up," said Oni Press editor Jill Beaton. "The original versions were wonderful and Ted is one of those cartoonists who really understands how to use black ink on a white page. Despite the level of detail, he avoided over-rendering his drawings, meaning that the work is still open and has room to breathe. It also means there is space for color. Warren is highlighting what is already there, filling in an extra dimension that previously was left to the reader."

The first volume will be 136 pages, 6-by-9 inches and will cost $19.99.

* Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Wrath of the Titans.